Keokuk, IA – Keokuk may impose stricter penalties on feeding certain animals within the city.
Residents have asked the city to deal with feral cats several times in the last year.
Little has been done, though, despite residents saying the felines are tearing up furniture and using gardens as litter boxes.
All that could change as Alderman Bill Olmsted says he will propose a measure that would make it illegal for residents to feed or water cats that don't belong to them.
He says this could reduce the feral cat population without targeting people who set out small amounts of food for their own pets.
In Keokuk, cats must be licensed but can run free.
Attempts to impose leash laws for felines have been defeated by the council.
You can hear more with Alderman Bill Olmsted by clicking the audio link above.
Additional Information
* Police Chief Tom Crew says enforcement will be very tough if the measure is approved.
* Olmsted says there are people in Keokuk who feed large numbers of cats even though they do not own pets.